NEW allotment holders had good reason to celebrate after scooping awards just a year after taking over their plots.

Teresa Edmans, Trudi James and Cathie Shaw of Hoxton Manor Allotments in Chingford Road, opposite Walthamstow Stadium, won the Best Newcomer of the Year trophy for their work on the patches they were given last year.

The trophy was donated by the stadium and presented by Ken Johnson, allotments officer for the council.

Ms Edmans said: "We are all delighted. It has been challenging and fun and only ten months after we started we are now reaping the reward with this lovely trophy."

Ms Shaw said part of the appeal of allotment life was the mixture of ages and backgrounds and the "community feel" of the place.

She said: "We had lots of advice and support from other people on the site, especially when we were getting started and everyone has been friendly and neighbourly."

The allotment site, which is currently full with a short waiting list, holds a competition every year and to celebrate gardeners' hard work a certificate of achievement is handed to beginners at the end of their first year.

Ms Edmans said: "I would recommend friends getting together to work an allotment. It is more fun, you can share the work and take turns in getting watering done.

"We all love the site. It is beautiful to see the stadium from our plot, especially in the evening when it is all lit up and you see the starlings flying across in front of it."

For more information on Hoxton Manor allotment site call Imogen Radford on 8986 7710 or e-mail imogen@pcs.org.uk